Apparatus for reshaping metal articles



G. GRIMES 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR. 650x261;- era es by g TOR ES Aug. 16, 1949.

APPARATUS FOR RESHAPING METAL ARTICLES Filed Sept. 14, 1945 N do N- 000 Aug. 16, 1949. v G. GRIMES 7 2,478,915

APPARATUS FOR RESHAPING METAL ARTICLES Filed Sept. v14 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ll .1 Y IIIII INVENTOR. GEORGE GRIME-S ATTORNEKS Patented Aug. 16, 1949 FOR REsHAPING MET ARTICLES APPARATUS 7 George Grimes, Rock Island, Ill. H r r Application September 14, 1945, Serial No;-61'6,437

13 Claims. (01. 153-32") (Granted under The invention described herein may be manufactured and used'by governmental purposes. without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to'apparatus' for reshap ing metal articles. More particularly the invention relates to apparatus for re-forming and realigning internal combustion engine manifolds.

In the overhauling and rebuilding of internal combustion engines, it is of course desirable to re-use as many parts as possible. However it is not always possible to re-use certain parts because of the factthatthese parts have been subjected to such wear and deterioration as to be unsuitable forfurther use. Heretofore manifolds, particularly exhaust manifolds, were considered not usable, since in many instances they were warped and otherwise distorted because of the intenseheat to which they were subjected m the operation'of the engines of which they formed parts. According to the present invention. it has been found possible to reshape and realign such manifolds so that they may be used again. It has been found-that the particular distortion occurring in certain manifolds is concentrated in a misalignment of the manifold branches caused by warping of the manifold body, with the result that the branch flanges aretwisted to such an extent that theynolonger occupy the'samgg'ehral plane. Because of this misalignment and distortion such manifolds could not be re-used, since the apertures in theflanges would no longer line up with the attached studs ontheengine block@ I The principal object of the present invention isto provide an apparatus for reshaping or reforming such manifolds so that the branches thereof are properly realigned.

The invention has for another object the provision of an apparatus comprising a pair of relativelymovable members to each of which a portion of the manifold maylbe attached so that the amended April '30, 1928; 370- 0.-

or for the Government for necessary bending or stretching forces may be proper alignment while the manifold cools; it is specifically an object of the invention to provide these means as aplurality of adjustable wedge or spreader elements.

The foregoing and otherobjects and features of the invention willbecome apparent to'those skilled in the -art as the disclosure of a preferred form of the invention is more fullyv set forth below, reference being had to the accompanying sheets of drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus, with a manifold being-,shownzin .place thereon in broken -lines; 1

the act of March 3, 1883;,- as

Fig. 21s a side'elevationalview of the structure shown inFig. 1; f

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantia-lly on the line 3- 3'of Fig. 1;

Fig.4 is an illustration of a manifold showing one' type of distortion most commonly encountered; and

Fig 5 is .a perspective detail view of one of the adjustable wedge or spreader elements.

The invention has been referred to above and will be described below in connection with its use and adaptability to there-forming and realigning of internal combustion engine manifolds. However, it will be'appreci'ated that the invention may be likewise employed in'conjunction with the re forming or realigning of similar metal articles. Consequently, it'should be understood that the present disclosure is illustrandn lim tin The type of manifold shown'in Fig. 4 comprises essentially a' body .Jfll" having a ,plurality of' branches or'ports liifeach' of which is provided with an apertured attaching 'fiangef I2. This manifold structure is generally conventional and it will be understood that the invention is applicable to ,othefmanifolds that' do not depart too'radically from such-conventional design. The typeofmanifold distortion most commonly encountered j'is indicated by the broken line A-A. Itjwill; be noted thattliere has occurred in'the main body abendlngon-the longitudinal body axis sol-that the attaching flanges I2 of the branches H are displace'd fromtheir true positions in the same general planejwhich'pl'ane is indicated by the line 3-3; "In order that a manifold so distortedmay be re used' it'is necessary that it be re -formed or reshaped-so that the branches H are realigned; thatis to'say, so that the, branches ii are again parallel and sothat the attaching flanges Itagain lie inthe plane repre'sented by the line e For the achievementofthe' resultjust described there is; provided; according tothe present invention; an'apparatiis' consisting of a base l3 which is providedatoneend thereof with a supporting plate or member I4"rigidly,secured to the base by a pluralityof bolts l5: The other end of the base l3 is'formedflwith a pair of transversely spaced; longitudinal running guide me'mbers'l'fi rigidly'secured to the base as by a plurality of bolts I 1. As best shown in Fig. 3, each guide member is generally L -shaped in cross section and-the two members provide a track in which is mounted a movable member or plate 18. This plate further slides-ontheupper surface of one end-of the-base l3 and is'thusjaccurately guided on" the base forflongitudinal" movement with respect tojthe'supportingorjstationary plate is. One end of the '-plate lllfextendsatjthe' proximate end of the base lian'd'rigidly carriesa depending cross member 19. The cross member I9 is formed with a threaded bore iflidisposed on a longitudinal axis and receiving therein a screw member 2| which has an operating handle 22 at its outer end. The screw member 2| abuts the proximate end of the base l3 and provides means by which the plate I8 may be moved with respect to the supporting or stationary plate. l4.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the'manifold is positioned on the apparatus with themain axis of the manifold parallel to the main axisof the apparatus; in other words, the longitudinal axis of the manifold body extends in the direction of movement of the plate la with respect, to the plate l4. The plates l4 and [8 are so disposed asto; receive or have located thereon, respectively, ene=ria1r crane total" number of branches ll. Inthepreferred former the invention herein"'disclosedLthenpper surfaces of the plates [4 and l8jare preferably flat and accurate to the extentitliiit.theylrepresentthe plane; in which the braneh flanges [Twill lie when properly aligned. r ,1

The type 'ofjmanifold 'pr'sentlyillustrated is shown as havingjfour branches 1 I. inasmuch as the usual internaleombiisftion;engine of the inline or V type consistsioi an even number of cylinders, the manifolds .Iwill ijrdinarily haye an even number ofbranchesf i. e.,'braribheswill occur in pairs or in multiples of twoj, except in those cases where the manifoldf'if aybe provided with Siamese ports (two pors i one-branch, as inthe case of a manifoldror'afour cylinder engine in which there are three branches, the first and third each containing a single part ar'idj thesecond or center branch comaming auoume party; For the present, the disclosure .fwilljbef concerned with the type of manifoldhrfdinarily' encountered; i. e.,v a manifold with. an eve ihum ror branches.

The stationary or .s'i i'pportihgfplate I 4 is provided with a plurality bf upstanding-pins 23 arranged to correspond with' certain 'of theapertures in the palr of"flangeslgl'zon that pair of branches ll lyingftqzonej'sidefof the transverse center line of the manifoldbodyl 0. Each of these pins is provided with a definite taper so that itmay easily enter theyr'esiseeeve flange aperture. As previously stated thedistortion of the manifold ordinarily so eireets. ..thei al gnm t of the flange apertures as to rnak 'eldifi icult theremoval of the manifoldfrom its positioh on the engine block. Likewise, such 't listor'tip'n would substantially prevent 'mountingfof th manifold on the aperture in the apsenee'erjnie tapered locating; pins 23. Theplatellt' isfii'rther provided with a plurality of upstanding threaded studs fir each of which isadapted toenteror be received by the remaining apertures fin-the flanges l2 of that half of the manifoldlocated'on"the plate I45 Each stud 24 is ;adapted to' receive a'nut 25 by means of which thefiah'g'es' 12 may be drawn down as tightly as possiblelonlthe plate I l. The plate I 4 isprovided withadditional means for rigidly securing the 'proximate .half ofthe manifold thereto. This means Ico'mprisesa plurality of clamping elements each of which includes a clamp 26 and a securing bolt 21. The clamps 26 engage the upper surfaces of the flanges l2, and the bolts 21 are drawn down tightly- The other halfv of the manifold structure is similarly rigidly attached to th e movable plate l8, this plate being, providedwitha plurality of tapered locating pins 28, securing studs and nuts 29 and 30, respectively",'.and clamping elements;

including clamps flill 32; each,

4i! and are threaded'r'espectivelyintothe blocks 38. The screws are sufliciently loose so that the block 88 may have relative movement limited of which is similar to the securing and clamping elements described in connection with the securing of the other half of the'manifold to the plate 14.

The movable plate I8 is provided with a gage element orpointer 33 which is cooperable with an index mark 34 on one of the longitudinal guide members [6. There is thus provided means by which the operator of the apparatus may determine when he has moved the plate 18 sufiiciently to re-form the manifold.

As previously stated, the invention contemplates also the provision of means for holding the branches. ll rigidly in proper alignment. A preferred form of this ;means is illustrated in perspective in Fig.5 arldwill, be referred to as an adjustable wedge "or spreaderjelement desig nated generally by thenumeral35. Each element 35' includes a first Wedgqblock 36 having a threaded bore which. reserves an adjusting screw 31. The block. 331s suppleine'ntedby' two addi-- tional, complementary, wedge v.blocks 38, each of? which is formed at its innerportion'with a semi-.1

cylindrical recess 'asifen nejagcnan axis c0ncentrio with the axis of the adjusting Screw'B'L' .The

blocks. 36 .and 38 are held together, for thepur-j pose of ease in handling. byaslotted connecting member 40, the opposite endsof which ride'in grooves 4| formedrespectively intheblocks 38..

Two screws 42 pass thrbiughthe slotted member only by the extent unharmed member 40. The

semicircular recessesegg inj the bloeksv 33 embrace the adjusting screw 31 and thereby serve to keep position as part of the wedge the block 36 in assembly.

' In the use "of'the preferred form of apparatus" just describedand ln the perfqrmance of the preferred method for rsl apingv the manifold, the.

manifold is mounted .on. the apparatus in the;

manner. previously described; 1 i. e one-half the number of branchesv I. is locatedon the stationary or supporting plate IQ, and the branches are secured in place thereon by means of the locating pins. 23 and securing. means 24-=.-25 and 26-21. The .remainin sbranches are secured to the movable plate I 8 by means of the locating pins 28 and.thesecuringelements. 29-3ll and 3|--32. The next stepinthe method comprises heating the I body .Dortion .10, of .the manifo1d..

Heat may be applied tc the manifold by an acetylene or blowtorch for example, or the manifold may be placed in a furnace ifedesired. Next the members and I 8 areforcibly separated by.

means of the operating handle 22 and screw member 2l. The member or plate I 8. is moved away from the plate-l4 until the gage: or indicat-- ying member 33 onthe plate I8 is lined up with the index 341011 the guide member. Hi, the necessary extent of movemehthaving been determined, beforehand. The adjiistable 'flspreader elements 35 are arranged 'betweenf'a'cljaceht branches H of fthe manifold and by means'of ftheadjusting screw 31 e ra n pt htlyto maintain the branches ll rigidly in their proper. realigned; positions. Spreading of the blocks -38 effected by tightening of the screw 31'," which'draws the block 36 further between the 'blocks"38." The inner face of the head of the bolt er'screw 31 'bears against the proximate outer faces'of' the blocks, which cannot spreadbecaus'e they are restrained by engagement with adjacent manifold branches 1 I. The manifold is then allowed to cool andtmaybe 1i acme-e15 left .on the apparatus lorzmaywbe :removed themfrom and be alloweditozcool-whilelanothermanb fold is being rel-formedon the-apparatus. It will be understood, :of rcourse, that :the adjustable wedges35 are left in place when-the :manifold '15 removed from theapparatus. The equipment mcluded in such apparatus accordingly will prefer- ..ably .include several adjustable :wedge sele- -ments35.

4 In the use of the apparatusandthe performance of the :method herein described 1 in :connection with manifolds having isiameseibranches :or

ports, it maybe found necessary to vary-somewhat the procedureoutlinedzabove. Tz'Forrexample :in :a manifold of the type comprising .three branches in whichieach end branch is ea single branch and the central branch. is Siamese, there will be little, ifany distortion in theifiange 'o'f the central branch. Therefore, ca, manifold of Y this type may be re-formedby bending or-reshaping the manifold body bymeans-of forcerapplied to the end branches, -very=much in :the manner of the operation described-above with-the exception that the 'central branch need not be rigidly secured to-either of the=p1ates'0r members IA-or Hi.

In the case of a :manifold comprising two branches (both i of which are Siamese, the situa- .tionis substantiallyddentical to that of'a manifoldwhich has four or any other-even-number of single branches. I

'Even in the case'o'f a xmani'fold of the type herein illustrated' it-may be desirable-in certain instances to secure only-the endbranches, or only the intermediatebranches,-to=the:plaltes M and i8; likewise, itmay be desiredto-omit the central spreader element 35. Other variations in the design and'useof the apparatus and in'the per-- fonrnance of the method here'm set forth may "occur to those skilled-in'the art. "It-will be understood, of courseythat these-and other modifications and alterationsmaybe madein-thepreferred form of the'invention illustrated and described without departing from the :spirit and :scope of the'invention as ,de'fine'd'in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A paratus'ifor reshapingandrealigning metal articles such as internal combustion engine 'manifolds of the type ,consistingof amainboidy and a plurality of branches having ,apertured flanges, comprisinga pair of iforcibly separable members on which'the manifold may be mounted with the axis of the'body'thereofllying'inthe direction of separation of said members andwith half the number of'branches beinglocate'd on one of said, members andtheremaining branches being'located on the other vofjsaild members, means respectively to said mermberspmeansfor forcibly separating said members, a plurality of adjustable wedge elements adapted-respectively for inser- "tion between adjacent branches-of themanifold,

and means cooperable'betweensaid members for indicating theextent of forcible separation-there of.'

ZJApparatus for reshaping :and realigning me'tal articles such-as internal combustion engine manifolds of the type consisting of a main body and a plurality of flanged branches, comprising -=aapair :of forcibly separable members on \Which :the .manif old :maybe :mounted with -.the.. axis of .the body .thereofllying in :the;directi,on of; separaition-of said membersand-with ;-half ithe number ,of branches being located on one of said members and the remaining branches being located onrthel'other offsaid;members,1meansrespectively on each of said :members including .:surface :por- -tions con which the branch flanges tmay seat, zmea-nsoneach ohsaidmembers lfor rigidly securing :the branches respectively ,to said members, means -:for forcibly separating vsaid members, a plurality: of adjustable wedge {elements iada-pte'd respectively for insertion between adjacent :joranches of the. manifold, and means eooperable between .said members if or indicating the -extent lof forcibleseparation-thereof.

,3. Apparatus for :resha-ping. and realigning gmetal.articles;s uch1as-iinternalxcombustionlengine manifolds of the type consisting :of a .main 1 body and a "plurality of tbranches ehaving :apertured flanges, comprising a pair of forciblyiseparable jmembers onrwhichthemanifold may beim-ounted with :the axis of :the body thereof tlying in ithe direction of separationlof said members-andwith 'half the. number. of. branchesbeing located: on'one "of said: members .an dztheremaining branches he- Lin-g located on'the other of saidunemberaa'neans respectively on each. of said members :including surface portions on whichthezbranch flanges-may =seat',:means respectively on each=of saidimem-bers eincluding pins: receiVablei by t-he ap erture'dI-flanges ..-o'f the: branches, means on eachrof-saidmeinbers for rigidly securing the branches respectively .to said members, means for'forcibly separating:said wmemberspand ;a plurality of :adjustable Wedg-e elements adapted respectively "for iinsertion be- :tween :adjacent branches of the manifoldr 1-14. :Apparatus for reshaping and realigning :metal articles such as'internal combustion engine manifolds: of the type consisting.-- of --a main' body and a plurality-of flanged-branches,:co-mprising 5a: pair of forcibly l separable -members 'on ---which the :manifold may I be mounted-with :the axis of the body:there of lying in the direction of separation of said members and with? half :the number of branches being locatedonone of said-member's :and the :remaining branches -bei-ng 'located on k theother of said zmembers, means respectively :on each of said members including-surface portions on which the branch flanges -seat, lmeans'oneach of-said members for'rigidly' securing the branches -respectively :to said members, m-earls for-forcibly separating-said members,-anrl aa plurality of --adjlustable= wedge-elements-adapted lrespectivel-y for insertion l -between adjacent branches of P the manifold I =5. Apparatus for reshaping :and realigning metal articles such as internal combustion engine 'zmanifolds of the typeconsisting of amain body anda pluralityof branches,--c'omprising a pair of forciblyseparablemembers: on-which= themanifold-may? be mounted-"with the "axis'of the body -tl 1ereof lying in the direction :of separation of said 'members and with half the --number of branch'es-being 1 located vI on-one-of said a members and the remaining branches being located-err the -otherof said members,'=-means -on each of said members {for :rigidly securing --the branehes --respectively to :said -'members, =-means for forcibly separating said a members, =and-a= pluralityrof adiustable wedge elements-adaptedrespectively-for =in?ertion'betweenadiacentrbrarichesoilthemani- 6, Apparatus for reshaping and realigning fmeta'l articles such as internal combustion=;ien- .gine manifolds of the type consisting of a main body and a pluralityof pairs ofubrancheshaving apertured flanges, comprising a pairiof forcibly separable members on which the manifold may :be mounted with the axis of the body thereof lying in the direction of separation of 'said members and with at least one pair of branches'being located on one of said members ad at least another pair of branches being located on the .other ,of said members, means respectively on each of ,saidmembers. including surface portions"ron .lwhich said pairs of branch flanges may seat, means respectively on each of said members in- ;cluding pins receivable by the apertured flanges of said pairs of branches, means on each of said .members for rigidly securing said pairs :of branches respectively to said members, meansifor fforcibly separating said members, and a plurality of spreader means adapted respectively. for in- :sertion between adjacent branches of said pairs aofbranches."

r Apparatus for reshaping and: :realigning metal articles such as internal combustion :en- ,gine'manifolds of the type consisting of amain body and a plurality of flanged branches, comprising a pair of .forcibly'separablemembers on which the manifold may be mounted with the axis of the body thereof lying in the direction of separation of said members and with' at; least one branch at one side of the center of the mani- .fold body being locatedon one. of said members and at least one branch at the other side of the manifold body being located on the other of said members, means respectively on each of said members including surfaceportions on which the flanges of said branches may seat;means on each of said members for rigidly securing said branches respectively to saidmembers, means for forcibly separating ,said ,members, and: a plurality .of spreader means adapted respectively for insertion between said branchesof the. manifold.

8. Apparatus ,,for-. reshaping and realigning metal articles such; as internalcombustion en- ;gine manifolds of thetypeconsisting of a main body and a plurality of flanged branches, comprising a pair of forcibly separable members on which the manifold may be mounted with the axis of the bodythereof lying in the. directionof separationof saidmembers and with half the number of branches being located on one of said members' and the remaining branches beinglocated on the other of said members, means on each .of said members for rigidly securing the branches respectively to said members, means for forcibly separating said members, and a-plurality of spreader means adapted respectively for insertion between adjacent branches of the manilfold. 1 9. Apparatus for reshaping and realigning metal articles such as internal combustion engine manifolds of, thetype consisting of a mainbody and a plurality of branches, comprising a pair of forcibly separable memberson ,whichthe manifold may-be mounted with the axis-of the body thereof lying in the direction of separation" of said membersandwith' half the number of branches being located on one .of said members and the remaining branches being located on the other ofsaid members, means on-eachof saidmembers for rigidly securing the'branches respectively: to said'member s, means for'forcibly separating-said members; and" Ta --plura1ity= ofspreader means 10. An adjustable wedge device comprisinga first block having converging, Wedge;surfaces; a

-pair=lof complementary .blocks, .each of.-.which has a'wedge surface. cooperabie with a respectivec-wedge surface on. said first block, means-in said first block forming a threaded bore disposed on an axis bi-secting said converging Wedge=1Slll'.-

il'0 faces; of :said first iblock, an; adjusting:- screw -threa'ded i into; said. bore;- and projecting -:-in ,the direction of conyergenceof said wedge surfa-ces,

means on' each-10f said-complementary blocks forming a recess embracing; said adjusting screw. cmeans: inueach. of said? complementary; blocks forming a groove transverseto'the axis of said -=adjusting= screw, iacslotted ;.c0nnecting1 member havingitsyend portionsgrespectively fitting .said grooves,- andmeans loosely securing, the end :por-

;tions.,.of gsaid connecting jmember,v respectively to -saidjcomplementary blocks.- an

1:; -11; An adjustable :wedge devicezcomprising 1a ,.fi1'st:-bl ockhaving converging wedge i surfaces-,1 a

pair ='of;com plementary blocks, each ofwhich has a wedgesurface cooperable with arespective gwedge surface on saidfirst block, meansin; each of::Said complementary blocks ;;forming agroove transverse to a line, bisecting said converging wedging surfaces;1-a slotted connecting; member having its end portions respectivelyfitting said grooves, means loosely securing the end portions of said connecting member respectively to said complementary blocks, and means cooperable between said firstblock and said" complementary blocks for spreading said complementary blocks "by introduction of said converging wedge surfaces between the wedge surfaces of said complementary blocks. a

12. Apparatus for reshaping and realigning metal articles such as internalcombustion engine manifolds of the type consisting of a main bod-y and a plurality of branches, comprising a pair of forcibly separable members on whichthe'manifold may be mounted with the axis of the body thereof lying in the direction of separation of said members and with at least one of said branches being located on one of saidv members and at least one of said branches beinglocated on the other of said members, means on each of said members for rigidly securing said branches respectively to said members,, mean s, for forcibly separating said member-s, and means cooperable between said members for indicating the extent of forcible separation thereof.

v 13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12, including means respectively on each of said members including surface portions on which flanges of said branches may seat.

GEORGE GRIMES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

V UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 1,465,984 Hancock Aug. 28, 1923 

